Nail-feed mechanism



H. E. TWOMLEY.

INAIL FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, 1921.

1,409,801 Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

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H. E. TWOML-EY.

NAIL FEED MECHANISM,

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27.1921.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

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HERBERT E. TWOML'EY, 0E RIVERSIDE. CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNOR To GEORGE ID.

PARKER, 01? RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

l l'AIL-FEED E'IECHANKSIE.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Application filed June 27, 3921. Serial No. 480,758.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. TwoMLEY, a citizen of the United States, residingat in the county of Riverside and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nail-Feed of which the following is a specification.

The hereinafter described invention re-- lates generally to means for controlling the feed of nails automatically to devices for positioning the same relative to mechanism for driving them, and although the invention is designed more particularly for selectively controlling the feed of the nails to the driving means of box nailing machinery, it ob invention is to provide a viously has other uses. The objectof the simple, inexpensive and efficient automatically operated and variable means for association with nailing mechanism for controlling or regulating at will the feeding of a plurality of lines or streams of nails simultaneously or in varied timed relation to the drivers of a nailing machine. Another object of the invention is to provide a construction such that the discharge of the nails from the series of lines of nails to be-fed may be so regulated or varied with respect to one another that the number of nails cut out or delivered from one line of nails to the driving mechanism may be varied, changed or altered withrespect to any other line of nails, or to a number of'associated lines of nails, so that while tour nails from one cut-out'feed control may be delivered to the nailing means with each revolution of the drive shaft, only three nails'may. be delivered from an associated cut-out control for another line of nails per each revolution of'the drive shaft, or. one

nail from one control cut-out, two from another and three from another and four from -another cut-out delivered per each rotation of the drive shaft; In brief, the construction of the various control cut-out feed, means is such thatany desired number of nails'from the respective lines of nails may be delivered to the nailing means per each revolution ofthe drive shaft, and such result is accomplished by the utilization of a single line of cut-out means.

The means controlling the swinging or tilting movement of the nail pan, the construction of the nail strlppers for delivering ofthe nails from the said pan as lines of nails-for positioning the same successively to the series of cut-out means or nail pickers, tubes controlling the feed or delivery of the streams of cut-out nails into position to be acted on by the nail delivery means of a box nailing machine being so well understood by those conversant with the art, detailed description and illustration thereof is not deemed necessary for an understanding of the present invention, for such purpose reference being had to United States Letters Patent #993,545 granted George D. Parker under date of May 30th, 1911, it being understood that a separate and independent naiL controlling out-out feed is employed for each delivery tube for positioning the nails 'to be acted on by the nail driving means.

To comprehend the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical, sectional side elevation taken 'on the line 1-1 Figure 2 of the drawings disclosing one of the cut-out units associated with its nail stripper.

Figure 2 is a broken plan view of the mechanism disclosed by Figure 1 of the drawings, the picker blocks being disclosed in their outermost position relative to the picker bar on. which they are slidably mounted.

Figure 3 is a detail plan'view of one of the nail picks with its associated slidable block in innermost position on the picker" bar, illustrating the means for actuating the said block. 1 i

1 Figure 4 is a verticalsectional view taken on the line 4-4 Figure 2 of the drawings and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 5 isa view similar to Figure 4 taken on the sectional line 5-5 Figure 2 of the drawings. a

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view taken on line 6-6 Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the slidable picker block with the spring held nail picker carried thereby, the picker bar on which the picker block is mounted being broken away.

F'gure 8 is a rear perspective view of the parts disclosed by Figure 7 of the drawings.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation disclosing a conventional form of that as many roller blocks are provided as acted upon by 3, one

actuating means therefor, a nail stripper exd 3 are detachably held thereto by the securtended therefrom, a tube for rece ving an delivering the cut-out nails to position to be the nail driving means, a variable controlled cut-out unit with its actuating means for successively delivering nails from the nail stripper ceiving and delivery tube in any timed feed relation. a j

Where the invention is employed in connection with box nailing machinery and which constitutes the use to which the same. is mainly designed, it will be understood that there are as many nail strippers and nail receivingand-delivery tubes employed as there are nails to be driven at any operation during the uniting of the sides and the bottoms to the end pieces of a box, including the center partition piece Where a box'having two compartments is constructed-as for instance an orange box, and for each nail stripper and associated delivery tube there is provided a nail cut-out. Thus, where the greatest number of nails to be driven at any one time is, for instance, twelve, there is provided twelve nail strippers [extended from the tiltable nail pan, and equal number of nail receiving and positioning tubes, a nail cut-out for each nail stripper.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 is used to designate a common drive shaft for all of the nail cut-outs,

spaced relation a plurality or roller blocks for each of the nail cut-.outdevices, and circumferentially arranged relative to each roller is a series of removable spaced actuating rollers 4 which act in timed rela-.

tion relative to the nail cut-outs. In the present instance, only two' roller blocks 3 are disclosed, although it will be understood there are nail cut-outs. However, as each block with its series of actuating rollers is the same in construction and operation, and

' equally so the nail cut-'out device with its associate means co-acting illustration of tWo of said associated working instrumentalitiesis deemed -suflicient for an understanding of the invention and the working thereof.

Parallel of the shaft 1 is disposed a fixed picker bar 5, Figures 1, 2 and 9 of the drawings, on which is slidably mounted for longitudinal movement an aligned series of nail picker blocks 6, each being held to the picker bar by a securing bolt,7 which passes through a longitudinalslot 8 formed in the picker relative to the picker bar 5, Figures 1, 2, 7

and 8 .of the drawings.

and

to the nail reand with each roller block being duplicates one of the other, an

blocks and serves as a stop to limitthe longitudinal movement of said blocks ing screw bolts 9,- the head of each bolt fitting within a recess or countersunk seat 10 formed in the rollers 4. The number of spaced circumferentially arranged rollers provided for each roller block 3 is in accordance with the extreme number of nails to be cut out for deliveryto the nail receiving and delivery tubes with each revolution of the drive shaft 1, in the present case four actu atin'g rolls being provided for each roller means, each comprising the longitudinally movable nail picker block 6, and a nail pick 13. Each nail pick 13 is pivotally held within a longitudinally disposed guide way 14 formed in the inner face ofits picker block 6, Figures 1, 4, 5 and 7 of the drawings, by

means of the securing bolt 15 on which the nail pick 13 swings or turns, being held normally in its outward position parallel to the face of its nail'st-ripper 12 by the. pressure.

of the spring 16.

In each of'the picker blocks 6 is provided a longitudinally disposed bore 17 Figure 6 of the drawings, within which is fitted a compression spring 18, said spring acting against the securing pin or bolt 7 and serving to hold the picker block normally in its outermost position, as disclosed in Figures 2 and 7 of the drawings. each nail pick 13 is formed at a downward inclination or with a beveled face, and inter- From the sw nging or tiltable nail pan 1-1 as usual in such cases, and over.

The outer face 18' of mediate the length of said nail pickthere is formed in the face thereof, a nail'recelving seat 19, which, when the picker block 6 is its normal or outermost position stands in registry with the nail slot 12' of the nail stripper 12, Figure 2 of the drawings." As the nail strippers 12 stand at a downward inclination, the .nails 20 delivered from the tiltable or swinging nail pan 11 successively enter within the slots 12 of the strippers 12,

and are held therein in a suspended position by means of their heads which bear against the upper surface oflthe nail strippers l2,

and the nails flow'downwardly through the slotted portions 12' of the nail strippers 12 until the lowermost nails of the series rests within the seats 19 cut in the faces 18 of the nail picks .13. s When thus positioned, the lowermost nail of a line of nails contained within a nail stripper '12 is ready to beacted upon by the nail picker 13 to be moved from within the sphere of the lower end of the rise , delivery tube 21- associated with such nail therewith the nail pick picker, the nail 20 at such time moved into the position disclosed by Figure 3 of the drawings. I

From the rear wall of each picker block 6 is projected a cam extension 22, Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 of the drawings, the said cam extensions being acted on successively by the cam actuating rollers 4 carried by the roller blocks 3 fixed to the rotary drive shaft 1. As these rollers 4 are brought into contact with and work over the inclined face of the cam extension 22, the picker block is having been gradually moved to its innermost position,

Figure 3 of the drawings, and carrying 13 removes or cuts out the lowermost nail of the series or line of nails of the nail stripper and removes or carries the same into'position or into alignment with the nail receiving and delivery tube 21, the nail graduall moving from within the seat 19 of the gravity and discharging into the upper funneled end 22 of the nail receiving and de livery tube 21, flowing onmoving by gravity through the tube 21 into position to be acted upon by the nail driving means of the apparatus.

As the roller 4 of the fixed roller block 3 is carried from the picker block 6, the tension of the spring 18 forces the picker block 6 outwardly its full distance to place the nail receiving seat 19 of the nail pick 13 in alignment with the slot 12 of the nail stripper 12, so as to permit of the lowermost nail of the line of nail pick 13 and carried to and nails held within the nail within the seat 19 of the nail picker 13 to be carried by the next inner movement of the nail receiving and delivery tube 21. 1

There being in the present case four cam actuating rollers 1 secured tothe periphery of each roiller block 3, during each revolution of the drive shaft 1, the cam extension 22 of each slidable picker block 6 is'acted upon four. times, so that with each completerevolution of the drive shaft, four nails are successively removed by the deposited thatone of the cut-out means may feed four nall pick by f off the cam extension 22 and obtalnable for the cutting out and feeding of stripper to enter the picker blocks 6 for positioning for dis-. charge into it is apparent that nails with each revolution of the drive shaft, another may be so regulated as to feed that there is delivered thereby only three nails per revolution of the drive shaft, and another cut-out means may be controlled or regulated as to only supply two. nails with each revolution of the drive shaft, or by cut-' ting out rollers 1 of the respective. roller blocks so that the rollers 4 of the series of lined roller blocks may stand in staggered relation, the actuation of the cut-out means may be so controlled or varied relative one to the other as to deliver the nails to the respective nail receiving and delivery tubes in I timed and varied relation. It-is thus possible to provide for the simultaneous cutting or for delivering the same thereto in timed and varied relation. Any combination being 6 are arranged thereon in horizontal alignment. The spring 16 as seated normally holds the nail pick 13 in proper position, and

permits of the same givlng or swinging inwardly in case an over-sized nail is dellvered thereto by the nail stripper 12. In such case there must be provision made for a give of the nail pick, else said pick and its associated parts would be damaged by the excess strain placed thereon, and in such case the nail p ck being yieldably mounted gives to such strain, and thereby prevents the damage which otherwise would occur.

within the nail receiving and delivery tube 21 associated with each nail pick of the respective cut-out means for the nails. If one of the rollers 4 of the series of rollers for any one roller block 3 be removed, it is apparent that the cam extension 22 of the slidable picker block associated therewith will only be acted upon three times during any one revolution of the shaft 1, with the result that only three nails will be cut outby the nail pick 13 to the four nails cut outby an associated pickerblock' acted on by an adja- While the invention has been described and illustrated in its preferred embodiment, there'is no intent to limit the same to the de tailed construction of the working parts as herein shown and described, but on thecontrary it is intended to claim the invention as broadly as the state of the art will warrant.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is 1. A nail feed mechanism, the same comprising a series of independently longitudinally movable spring held aligned nail picks,

. means for successively feeding nails thereto,

and a series of aligned rotary means constructed and arranged so as to permit adapsuccessively cutting out and removing the lowermost nail of the series of nails contained within the nail strippers, and a series of independent nail pick actuating devices associated with the nail picks and constructed and arranged so as to permit adaptation thereof for selectively actuating the said nail picks in various timed relations, and means for imparting uniform rotary movement to the said series of aligned nail pick actuating devices.

4. A nail feed mechanism, the same comprising in combination, a plurality of nail strippers each adaptedto hold a line of suspended nails, a'plurality of spring held nail picks associated with the nail strippers for removing the lowermost nail of said line of nails suspended within said strippers and a plurality of rotary aligned devices associated with the'nail picks for the selective actuation thereof at timed intervals and adapted for operating said nail'picks in timed relation with one another.

5. A nail feed mechanism for the described purpose, the same comprising in combination a plurality of longitudinally disposed spring held aligned nail picks, a series of longitudinallydisposed aligned rotary means constructed and arranged to permit adaptation thereof for selectively actuating the nail picks in various timed relations, and a drive shaft for imparting ro-. tary motion to the nail pick actuating means.

6. A nail feed mechanism for the de-' scribed purpose, the same comprising n combination a plurality of longitudinally disposed spring held pivotally mounted nail picks, a plurallty of aligned nail pick actuating devices mounted for rotary movement and constructed and arranged so as to permit adaptation thereof for selectively actuating the nail picksin various desired timed relation, and means for imparting-rotarv movement simultaneously to the said pick actuating devices.

7 A nail feed mechanism for the dethe drive shaft, and devices associated with p the rotary actuating means for adapting the same to actuate the. aligned nail picks-selectively in timed relation.

8 A nail feed mechanism for the described purpose, the same comprising a fixed picker bar, a plurality of longitudinally movable spring held picker blocks slidably mounted thereon, a spring held nail pick pivotally secured to each picker block, a

plurality of aligned nail strippers assoclated with the nail picks, a drive shaft, a plurality of aligned actuating devices carried by the drive shaft, and means associated with each of said devices for c'o-acting with the picker blocks and adapted to selectively operate the same in timed relation.

9. A nail feed mechanism for the de; scribed purpose, the same comprising a plurality of .aligned nail gitudinally disposed picker bar, a plurality of aligned longitudinally movable spring held picker blocks mounted on said bar, a spring held nail pick associated with each picker block and pivotally mounted relative thereto, a cam tail extension carried by each picker block, a rotary drive shaft and a plurality of aligned devices fixed to and carried thereby, and means associated with each of said devices for acting on the cam extension to actuate the same selectively intimed relation.

10. A nail feed mechanism for the described purpose,

rality of aligned nail strippers, a fixed picker bar arranged below and in advance of the nail pickers, a plurality of aligned independently longitudinally movablespring held nail picks mountedon said bar, a cam extension carried by each nail picker member, a rotary drive shaft, and a plurality of aligned members fixed thereto and adapted for action with the cam extensions of the nail pickers for actuating the same selectively in'timed relation.

11. A nail feed-mechanism, the same comprising in combination, a'fi'xed picker bar, a

plurality of aligned, longitudinally movable spring heldpicker blocks mounted thereon,

a cam extension carried by each of the picker blocks, and each picker block having associated therewith a nail picker, a drive shaft, a plurality of aligned spaced blocks fixed to and carried by the drive shaft, and a plurality of cam rollers detachably secured circum erentially of the said blocks for engagement with the cam of the picker blocks successively during the rotary movement of the combination with a pluthe drive shaft, said rollers adapted for acof aligned rotary devices associated with tuating the picker blocks selectively in timed each picker block and constructed and arrelation. ranged so as to permit adaptationthereoi 12. A selective nail feed mechanism for for selectively actuating the picker blocks 5 the described purpose, the same comprising in various timed relations, and means for 15 a picker bar, a series of spring held spaced operating said rotary devices.

nail picker blocks mounted thereon for in- In testimony whereof I have signed my dependent movement, a cam rearwardly proname to this specification.

jected from said blocks, a nail pick pivotally 10 associated with each picker block, a series HERBERT E. TWOMLEY. 

